MERCEDES GP PETRONAS and Nico Rosberg agree contract extension

MERCEDES GP PETRONAS is delighted to confirm that the team and Nico Rosberg have agreed a multi-year contract extension to include the 2013 season and beyond.

Since joining MERCEDES GP PETRONAS for the 2010 season, Nico has achieved three podiums, scored 217 points and demonstrated that he belongs to the top group of drivers currently racing in Formula One.

Nico Rosberg said:“I am very excited to have extended my contract with the MERCEDES GP PETRONAS team. To win in a Silver Arrow will be one of the highlights of my life so far, and I greatly enjoy helping to lead our team in our quest to become the best in Formula One. I have every confidence that the team will provide me with a winning car, and that we will be able to contribute to the fantastic racing heritage of the Silver Arrows. I look forward to great times in the years ahead with the Mercedes-Benz family.”

Ross Brawn, Team Principal, MERCEDES GP PETRONAS commented:“We are delighted to have extended our contract with Nico as we know that he is a driver who can win races and championships. Nico has performed exceptionally well for our Silver Arrows team over the past two seasons, achieving results at the very limit of the technical capabilities of our current car. He has an excellent work ethic and, together with Michael, this gives us a driver pairing who consistently push the team to improve and progress. As we continue to strengthen our team for the future, we look forward to providing Nico with a car which will enable him to compete right at the front of the field and achieve his deserved first win in Formula One.”

Norbert Haug, Vice-President of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport said:“Nico and MERCEDES GP PETRONAS have the same targets, he loves to work with our team and we are fully committed to a long and successful future together. I very much appreciate Nico´s total dedication and his precision. He is certainly one of the quickest, most talented and most consistent drivers in the field, and his level of professionalism is second to none. We will work very hard to improve our technical package, in order to give our drivers the car to deliver the results they deserve. In Michael, Nico has the most successful racing driver in the history of the sport as his team-mate, which is a perfect combination for him as well as for our team. We all rate Nico very highly and we are looking forward to a long co-operation full of hard work, which will deliver great success for Nico and MERCEDES GP PETRONAS.”

For 2012, MERCEDES GP PETRONAS will enjoy stability in its driver line-up for a third consecutive season, with Nico driving alongside compatriot Michael Schumacher.